| 10 Best Islands to Rent | | | | Fiji, offering accommodation in a 20-bed |
| Most of us dream at some time or another | | | | dormitory or a beachfront bure |
| of being cast away on a paradise island. | | | | (traditional-style bungalow) on the |
| Only the richest among us can afford to | | | | beach. A heaven for holidaymakers, |
| buy our own, but we can rent a private | | | | Bounty Island is also a haven for budget |
| island in almost any part of the world, | | | | tourists. Prices are as low as £12.50 |
| at a price ranging from A-lister highs | | | | per night in a dorm or £79 per night |
| down to budget backpacker lows. And | | | | for two in a bure. Meals are extra, but |
| islands aren't just for drinking | | | | can be bought for £13 per person per |
| cocktails on the beach. Some of them | | | | day. |
| offer plenty of activity - surfing, | | | | Isles of Scilly |
| kayaking, diving and other water sports, | | | | Closer to home, there's Tresco Island, |
| as well as bird- and animal-watching. | | | | in the Isles of Scilly, off the coast of |
| Here's a selection of islands for rent. | | | | Cornwall, where the balmy climate |
| Musha Cay | | | | encourages date palms, tree ferns, |
| Musha Cay, in the Bahamas, offers | | | | cacti, lilies and other subtropical |
| elegant accommodation for 24, so if you | | | | plants to grow in profusion. There's a |
| want an exclusive holiday for your and | | | | hotel and a few scattered cottages built |
| your guests alone, this could be your | | | | traditionally years ago of granite and |
| dream destination. Prices range from | | | | slate. There are no cars on the island, |
| about £12,000 per night, all inclusive. | | | | but you can explore to your heart's |
| Wilson Island | | | | content by hiring bicycles. For a |
| Wilson Island, Australia, is a coral | | | | cottage, reckon on £800-£2,200 per |
| island on the Great Barrier Reef, where | | | | week. |
| turtles nest on castor-sugar white sands | | | | Trinity Island |
| and humpback whales visit from June to | | | | Trinity Island , Killeshandra, Co. |
| October. Accommodation is in six | | | | Cavan, Ireland, is on the Lough Oughter |
| designer tents overlooking the sea. | | | | Lakes. There's a three-bedroom lodge |
| Prices range from about £900 for room | | | | there, set at the edge of a lack, amid |
| only for five nights. | | | | 60 hectares of private woodland. Active |
| Guana Island | | | | holidaymakers can take the island's |
| Guana Island, one of the British Virgin | | | | private boat out on the lake or visit |
| Islands, is a haven for many endangered | | | | the nearby mainland for horse-riding, |
| wildlife species. You can rent a cottage | | | | freshwater fishing, canoeing, nature |
| that sleeps two for £300 per day | | | | walks and bird watching. You can rent |
| upwards, depending on the season, or the | | | | the entire island for a weekend for |
| entire island from £6,000 per day. | | | | about £400. |
| Little Whale Cay | | | | Casa de los Musicos in the Canaries |
| Little Whale Cay, in the Berry Islands, | | | | Casa de los Musicos in the Canaries , |
| in the heart of the Bahamas, is a | | | | has hosted a number of famous people |
| lovers' paradise, with its setting of | | | | seeking seclusion and calm, such as |
| palm-fringed beaches and subtropical | | | | Leonard Bernstein. Sun, sand dunes, |
| gardens, beautiful clean seas and the | | | | glorious sea and vegetation like a |
| ever-present sun. There's a six-bedroom | | | | Garden of Eden. Rental of the entire |
| house for rent - and a church at the | | | | estate, half-board (maximum 16 guests), |
| water's edge, ideal for weddings or the | | | | will set you back about £6,000 for one |
| renewal of vows. Island rental for | | | | week. |
| groups of up to 12 people (minimum stay | | | | A 13th-century French castle? You'll |
| of one week) from £25,000. | | | | find it on the island of Château de |
| Alphonse Island | | | | Bagnols, 25 km north of Lyon, set among |
| Alphonse Island, in the Seychelles, is a | | | | vineyards, forests and green hills in |
| just an hour away by air from Mahé. | | | | the heart of Beaujolais country. The |
| It's a stunningly beautiful atoll, where | | | | castle and adjoining building have 21 |
| guests can revel in some of the best fly | | | | bedrooms, eight of which are suites. The |
| and deep-sea fishing, diving and | | | | Wine Trail passes through nearby |
| bird-watching in the whole region. From | | | | villages. Activities in the district |
| £200 per person per night full board. | | | | include horse-riding, golf, tennis and |
| Bounty Island | | | | ballooning. Rates vary according to |
| Bounty Island is one of several | | | | season and category of room, from £300 |
| low-budget private island resorts in | | | | to £800 per night per room. |